Florida Special Arts Center: A true lesson in humanity

The Florida Special Arts Center exists to seek the promotion of the performing and visual arts as well as the fostering of creative expression for persons with developmental disabilities. Their mission includes the training and internships of people interested in working with the developmentally disabled populations and the fostering of performing and visual art based vocational opportunities.

ScentsAbility.com grew out of the Florida Special Arts Center. These are special candles made by special people. Please visit their workshop and see all of the beautiful candles and candle baskets that were made by individuals from the Florida Special Arts Center. A percentage of all sales goes directly to the Florida Special Arts Center.

Lydia Shelley (mizlydia@gmail.com), a mother of several children ranging in age from 11-26, began to study Autism in 2006 after meeting a friend's child. Two years later, she was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder herself. Writing this column is important to her because she feels that tolerance and understanding can only grow from knowledge - getting to know each other.